Kyle Busch recently expressed his thoughts on NASCAR’s decision to bring back The Chase championship format starting with the 2026 season. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Busch shared his reaction to the upcoming change, highlighting both anticipation and apprehension about how this format might affect the sport and competitors.
Busch’s Perspective on The Chase Format Shift
Busch welcomed the change with cautious optimism, saying,
“Hopefully it’s better and people like it,”
as reported by Peter Stratta of TSJ Sports. He added,
“We’ll see how everybody attacks it and what they do in order to make the most of their opportunity to go race for championships.”
Despite his openness, Busch also emphasized a significant concern tied to the format’s elimination style.
He recalled the pressure that comes with The Chase, stating,
“I remember when we had The Chase format. Getting wrecked once or twice, you’re eliminated,”
meaning a driver’s chance at winning the championship could vanish quickly. Busch pointed out that crashes have become more frequent with aggressive driving, noting,
“maybe it will keep it even because everybody’s getting wrecked in the final 10.”
This suggests he suspects the format could intensify competition but may also increase risks.
Understanding The Chase and Its Impact on Drivers Like Busch
The Chase format reintroduces the competition style NASCAR debuted in 2004, featuring the final 10 races of the season as a playoff for the top 16 drivers battling for the championship. Busch noted that a crash during these rounds—or even earlier in the regular season—could severely damage a driver’s championship hopes, since simply winning a race does not guarantee entry into The Chase itself. This increases the stakes for consistent performance as much as winning individual events.
Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion who has raced full time since 2005, is familiar with the demands of this system. His championship victories in 2015 and 2019 came after previous changes to the title format. However, Busch has yet to win a race since April 2023 and hopes that this format shift might revive his competitive edge as the Chase returns.
Views from NASCAR Leadership on The Chase Revival
NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell explained the motivations behind reviving The Chase format, emphasizing the importance of competitive integrity. He said,
“Winning still had to matter. We had to make sure that was a big component of what we were doing. We certainly wanted consistency to matter,”
while adding,
“Not lost on us that throughout what we’ve seen with the current format, there were times when a driver could win and maybe take a couple races because he had that win in the bank. That’s not something we wanted. We wanted every race to matter. So both of those needed to be front and center.”
O’Donnell’s remarks highlight NASCAR’s goal to ensure all races count equally, aiming to keep fans engaged through more unpredictable and competitive finales.
Potential Consequences for Drivers and the Season Ahead
The return to The Chase format introduces uncertainty for drivers like Busch, who must adapt to the do-or-die nature of the playoff-style races. With eliminations triggered by crashes or poor finishes, drivers face heightened pressure to perform safely yet aggressively. This could shift race strategies and influence how championships are won in the coming years.
For Busch and others, the challenge lies in balancing risk with consistency, an approach that may redefine NASCAR’s competitive landscape moving forward. As the 2026 season approaches, fans and drivers alike will closely watch how this change impacts race outcomes and overall championship battles.
.@KyleBusch gave his thoughts on NASCAR’s new/old format, testing at @NWBSpeedway, and his friendship with Greg Biffle.
“Any crashes will kill your championship run”#NASCAR pic.twitter.com/HGlnHnAQOh
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) January 13, 2026
